11:51 PM

(0) Comments

Nikkei drops 3 percent as yen worry hits investor confidence Reuters

Addison Ray

TOKYO Reuters Tokyo stocks fell 3.6 percent on Tuesday, their worst daily drop in three months, after the Bank of Japans emergency moves the day before failed to curb the yens strength and disheartened investors bailed out of the market.

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 shed 325.20 points to 8,824.06, booking its biggest daily percentage fall since a 3.8 percent slide in early June. For the month of August, it fell 7.5 percent, its worst month since May.

The broader Topix .TOPX lost 3 percent to 804.67.

Reporting by Aiko Hayashi; Editing by Edwina Gibbs



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

11:49 PM

(0) Comments

India growth rate rises to 8.8%

Addison Ray

Indias economy grew at its fastest rate for more than two years in the last quarter, according to official data.

In the three months to June, GDP was up 8.8% compared with the same period last year.

Strong industrial and agricultural output helped boost the growth rate, Indias statistics agency said.

Although only the 11th biggest economy in the world, India is the second fastest-growing, behind China.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator
http://tinyurl.com/38rwhvx

11:20 PM

(0) Comments

CFTC issues final forex exchange market rule Reuters

Addison Ray

WASHINGTON Reuters The U.S. futures regulator issued a final rule late Monday for the retail foreign exchange market, which included relaxing an earlier proposal that would slash leverage available to investors participating in these transactions.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission rule put in place requirements for retail foreign exchange products, including registration, disclosure, record keeping, financial reporting and minimum capital standards.

A key change in the rule, which goes into effect on October 18, will allow the National Futures Association to put in place leverage rules as long as they require investors to place a minimum 2 percent security deposit in the case of major currencies and 5 percent of the notional value of the transaction for all other currencies.

The agency said it will periodically review these parameters to determine if they need to be adjusted.

The CFTC earlier proposed limiting leverage for retail customers on forex transactions to a ratio of 10-to-1, which was criticized by dealers, lawmakers in Congress and others who feared it could push investors into overseas markets with less protection.

"These rules of the road will help protect the American public in the largest area of retail fraud that the CFTC oversees: retail foreign exchange," CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler said in a statement.

This marked the first final rule the CFTC has published from the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill that went into effect in July. The CFTC has organized its to-do list into 30 topic areas it must address during the next year.

Reporting by Christopher Doering and Roberta Rampton



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

11:19 PM

(0) Comments

Private toll roads no solution

Addison Ray

Private toll roads are not a cost-effective answer to traffic problems, the government has been warned.

A report by the Campaign for Better Transport said the UKs only private motorway toll, the M6 Toll, had not significantly cut congestion.

Its owners lose tens of millions of pounds a year on the road, near Birmingham, campaigners added.

Midland Expressway, which runs the M6 Toll, was approached by the BBC but would not comment on the report.

The Campaign for Better Transport concluded that the government should not see privately financed schemes as a way out of economic problems.

Road charge

The group argued that journey times on the M6 were only slightly better than before the toll opened nearly seven years ago, and drivers were put off using the road by the charge of �5 per car.

It estimated the toll roads operator was losing more than �25m a year, discouraging potential investors.

Campaigners used documents from the Highways Agency, the Transport Select Committee and Midland Expressway to compile the report.

It concluded not only had the toll road failed to improved transport in the West Midlands, but drivers who paid the toll were not receiving value for money.

In addition it said the Highways Agency was planning to spend �500m on congestion relief that the M6 Toll was supposed to have provided.

The M6 Toll is a 27-mile privately-financed motorway that runs around the north west of Birmingham, between junctions 3a and 12 of the M6.

It opened in December 2003 and was intended to relieve congestion on the busiest section of the M6 by providing an alternative route.

BBC transport correspondent Richard Scott says that with the public finances under pressure and road building under threat, the government is looking at how to improve the transport network in the most cost-effective way.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator
http://tinyurl.com/2bd97gs

11:18 PM

(0) Comments

Nikkei drops 3 percent as yen worry hits investor confidence

Addison Ray

TOKYO | Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:25am EDT

TOKYO Reuters - Tokyo stocks fell 3 percent on Tuesday, their worst daily drop in three months, after the Bank of Japans emergency moves the day before failed to curb the yens strength and disheartened investors bailed out of the market.

Market players noted disappointment after the BOJ expanded its fund supply tool, widely seen as an ineffective move, while the U.S. economic recovery was under a cloud, limiting how much Japan alone could do for its economy and stock market.

"The market appears to be demanding more steps from Japanese authorities after the BOJ measures were not strong enough to stop the yen from advancing," said Masayuki Otani, chief market analyst at Securities Japan Inc.

"The next step would have to be intervention, though first we may see one or two more verbal intervention attempts.

"Investors are also selling ahead of this weeks U.S. economic indicators, including jobs data, because of worries that if those data are poor, thatd also prompt selling of the dollar. At this level, individual investors in particular are dumping shares, along with foreigners."

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 shed 277.40 points to 8,871.86 and was poised to record its worst month since May, while the broader Topix .TOPX lost 2.6 percent to 807.46.

The dollar slipped 0.4 percent against the yen to 84.25 yen, within sight of last weeks 15-year low of 83.58 yen.

U.S. stocks fell in the years lightest volume on Monday as worries about the pace of recovery overshadowed a rise in consumer spending and incomes, with investors moving to the sidelines ahead of this weeks data, including non-farm payrolls data on Friday.

"Although the U.S. spending data yesterday wasnt bad, its the indicators out later this week that are the really important ones, and predictions for these are really raising fears about the economic recovery," said Takashi Ushio, head of the investment strategy division at Marusan Securities.

Some light buying by pension funds was likely and may offer support at the lows, but market players said the Nikkei could test the 8,800 level, around a 16-month low hit last week, at some point this week.

Below 8,800, the next target is 8,697, a 61.8 percent retracement of the Nikkeis rally from its March 2009 low to its April 2010 high.

Exporters took a beating. Canon Inc 7751.T sank 3.9 percent to 3,445 yen and Kyocera Corp 6971.T shed 3 percent to 7,220 yen. Sony Corp 6758.T lost 3.5 percent to 2,373 yen.

Editing by Edmund Klamann



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

10:57 PM

(0) Comments

CFTC issues final forex exchange market rule

Addison Ray

WASHINGTON | Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:29am EDT

WASHINGTON Reuters - The U.S. futures regulator issued a final rule late Monday for the retail foreign exchange market, which included relaxing an earlier proposal that would slash leverage available to investors participating in these transactions.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission rule put in place requirements for retail foreign exchange products, including registration, disclosure, record keeping, financial reporting and minimum capital standards.

A key change in the rule, which goes into effect on October 18, will allow the National Futures Association to put in place leverage rules as long as they require investors to place a minimum 2 percent security deposit in the case of major currencies and 5 percent of the notional value of the transaction for all other currencies.

The agency said it will periodically review these parameters to determine if they need to be adjusted.

The CFTC earlier proposed limiting leverage for retail customers on forex transactions to a ratio of 10-to-1, which was criticized by dealers, lawmakers in Congress and others who feared it could push investors into overseas markets with less protection.

"These rules of the road will help protect the American public in the largest area of retail fraud that the CFTC oversees: retail foreign exchange," CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler said in a statement.

This marked the first final rule the CFTC has published from the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill that went into effect in July. The CFTC has organized its to-do list into 30 topic areas it must address during the next year.

Reporting by Christopher Doering and Roberta Rampton



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

4:48 PM

(0) Comments

Four-year negative equity warning

Addison Ray

Homeowners who bought at the peak of the market peak may face four more years of negative equity, a housing group has said.

The National Housing Federation NHF said the average buyer paid �216,800 for a home in 2007.

They may now have to wait until 2014 before prices recover enough to make their homes worth more than they paid.

The organisation, which campaigns for affordable housing, also said prices are still too high for many buyers.

"Start Quote

Proposed caps on housing benefit payments could also put nearly a million people on low incomes at risk of losing their home."

End Quote David Orr National Housing Federation chief executive
Locked out

According to the NHF, house prices will dip again next year by 3%, before steadily climbing thereafter.

They expect prices to rise some 22% by 2014, bringing the average price of a house to �226,900.

According to NHF chief executive David Orr, prices will "inevitably increase in the long term because of the huge under-supply of housing".

But even at current depressed prices, he cautioned that houses remain unaffordable for most low-to-middle income families, thanks in part to tighter mortgage lending standards.

"Theres a very real risk that an entire generation will be locked out of the housing market for the foreseeable future," he said.

He criticised government decisions to scrap regional house-building targets and withdraw funding for affordable housing.

"Proposed caps on housing benefit payments could also put nearly a million people on low incomes at risk of losing their home," he added.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator
http://tinyurl.com/3xnbf3v

1:32 PM

(0) Comments

Blackburn bidders firm shut down

Addison Ray

A company run by the man linked to the proposed �300m takeover of Blackburn Rovers has been told to cease trading.

Bahrains trade and industry ministry said it closed a Bahrain-based company after it violated regulations by operating outside its remit.

BBC 5 live has learned the company is Western Gulf Advisory, run by Indian investor Ahsan Ali Syed.

Western Gulf Advisory said the Blackburn bid is being managed by a separate company, and is unaffected.

The precise details of the offence are unclear, but it is understood that Western Gulf Advisory fell foul of Bahrains central bank, which refused to sanction its activities.

It has been reported that Mr Syed is planning to invest �300m into Blackburn Rovers, pledging an additional �100m to fund transfers.

Mr Syed also runs a Swiss-based company, Western Gulf Advisory AG, based in Zug.

The BBC has been told it is this Swiss entity which is managing the takeover plans, and not the Bahrain-based company.

Private investor

Mr Syeds personal wealth has been reported to be between �3bn and �8bn. He said he would be investing his personal wealth into the club, through his Swiss firm, and he would be the sole investor.

The takeover bid is being negotiated by Western Gulf AGs European investment team, which is currently involved in the creation of a new Europe-based firm, WGA Sports, which will oversee all Mr Syeds sports investments.

According to its company website, Western Gulf Advisory provides services relating to asset and wealth management and Mr Syeds family has been involved in private sector lending across Asia for 150 years.

Despite his reported wealth, little is known about Mr Syed, and he has not featured in the Forbes Rich List.

Mr Syed claims he and his company are experts in buying under-performing companies and turning them into profitable enterprises.

He is known to be involved in other takeover bids of companies outside of football, including the Irish construction company McCabe and the Australian cotton producer, Cubbie Station.

<-- pullout-items--> <-- pullout-body-->

Adrian Goldberg presents 5 live Investigates on BBC Radio 5 live.

The first show of the news series airs at 2100BST on Sunday, 5th September.

<-- pullout-links-->

However, when probed about his other investments when talking to the BBC last week, Mr Syed said he preferred to keep such information private to protect his investors. Western Gulf Advisory claims to act as financial adviser to sovereign wealth, royalty and many wealthy individuals.

A spokesman for the Barclays Premier League said they had not received any formal notification regarding a takeover of Blackburn Rovers, and would not conduct any investigation into the suitability of any potential investor until such a time.

Once notice of a takeover is received the Premier League then has 10 days to carry out a means and abilities test of the company planning the investment, which includes the owners and directors.

It is only after such tests have been completed that a decision on whether to sanction a takeover will be made.

A spokesperson for Mr Syed said negotiations with Blackburn Rovers advisors were proceeding very well, and Western Gulf Advisory AG would soon be approaching the Premier League to complete the necessary paperwork.

Blackburn Rovers did not respond to a request for a comment on the development.

Adrian Goldberg presents the new series 5 live Investigates on BBC 5 live. The first programme will broadcast at 2100BST on Sunday, 5th September.

If you have a story for the programme team, email: goldberg@bbc.co.uk



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator
http://tinyurl.com/3332j8g

12:26 PM

(0) Comments

Obama in plea for business bill

Addison Ray

US President Barack Obama has attacked Senate Republicans for blocking a bill aimed at helping small businesses.

"Unfortunately [the bill] has been languishing in the Senate for four months, held up by a partisan minority that wont even let it go to a vote. That makes no sense," he said.

Mr Obama claimed the bill "pays for itself" and would not add to the deficit.

Half of the Senate faces reelection in November mid-term elections.

Speaking to press in the White Houses Rose Garden, the US president also referred to other ideas for the economy, a possible allusion to further stimulus spending measures.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator
http://tinyurl.com/2bb6knd

11:41 AM

(0) Comments

Obama, advisers discussed more steps on economy

Addison Ray

Thomson Reuters is the worlds largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.

NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

11:19 AM

(0) Comments

Obama, advisers discussed more steps on economy Reuters

Addison Ray

WASHINGTON Reuters President Barack Obama said on Monday he and his economic team discussed additional steps to promote economic growth, including looking at tax cuts for businesses.

"My economic team is hard at work in identifying additional measures that could make a difference in both promoting growth and hiring in the short term and increasing our economys competitiveness in the long term," he said in a statement at the White House.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

10:34 AM

(0) Comments

Genzyme spurns Sanofi buyout bid

Addison Ray

US biotechnology firm Genzyme has turned down a $18.5bn �11.9bn; 14.5bn euros cash bid from French pharmaceutical group Sanofi-Aventis.

Sanofi made a formal approach to the US companys board on Sunday, only to have its interest spurned a day later.

In a letter to his French counterparts, Genzyme head Henri Termeer said the $69-per-share offer was too low.

It is unclear whether Sanofis management will now choose to make negotiate or make a hostile bid.

Sanofis interest in the US-based firm emerged earlier this month, but this is its first formal offer.

Genzyme, which employs about 11,000 people worldwide, researches treatments for a range of serious illnesses.

Observers had already expected Genzyme to hold out for a higher bid.

Sanofi is Frances fourth-largest company by market value.

If the deal went ahead, it may become the biggest corporate swoop on a US firm by a French group since media conglomerate Vivendis purchase of Seagram in 2000.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator
http://tinyurl.com/287y9rw

10:14 AM

(0) Comments

July consumer spending gain strongest in 4 months

Addison Ray

WASHINGTON | Mon Aug 30, 2010 12:27pm EDT

WASHINGTON Reuters - Consumer spending rose at the strongest pace in four months in July, supported by a small gain in incomes that offered hope consumers will be able to keep contributing to a modest economic recovery.

Analysts said the 0.4 percent increase in spending reported by the Commerce Department on Monday was a relief after a raft of weak data for July and helped ease fears the economy was sliding back into recession.

"We are still of the opinion that there is a 30 percent chance of a double dip recession, but its definitely not our baseline forecast," said Scott Hoyt, director of consumer economics at Moodys Economy.com in West Chester, Pennsylvania. "When consumer spending is growing its hard to get a double dip."

The increase in spending was a touch above expectations in financial markets for a 0.3 percent rise. Spending, which was flat in June, was supported by a 0.2 percent gain in incomes and households dipping into their savings.

But investors worried that stubbornly high unemployment would continue to dampen spending and sold U.S. stocks. Prices for safe-haven government bonds rose, recouping some of Fridays steep losses.

The U.S. dollar fell against the yen as investors saw as inadequate steps by authorities in Tokyo to curb the Japanese currencys rise.

Data so far have suggested the U.S. economys recovery from the longest and deepest recession since the 1930s probably slowed further in the third quarter.

The government on Friday lowered its estimate of second-quarter economic growth to a 1.6 percent annual rate from 2.4 percent, although the figure on consumer spending was revised higher.

A closely watched employment report for August due on Friday is expected to paint yet another a grim picture of the labor market, the Achilles heel of the recovery. According to a Reuters survey, nonfarm payrolls fell 100,000 this month after shrinking 131,000 in July.

JOBS KEY

"The key is jobs. If we get jobs, we will get consumers spending, that will really get the ball rolling," said Hoyt.

Spending adjusted for inflation increased 0.2 percent last month after edging up 0.1 percent in June, the Commerce Department said. Real spending on goods rebounded 0.4 percent, while expenditure on services increased 0.2 percent.

"Consumers are spending, but slowly, and we expect spending growth below 2 percent in the third quarter as a whole," said Julia Coronado, an economist at BNP Paribas in New York.

Wages and salaries rose at a $22 billion annual rate last month, helping fuel the rise in incomes, after shrinking at an $8 billion rate in June.

But real disposable income fell 0.1 percent, the first decline since January.

Although the saving rate slipped to 5.9 percent from 6.2 percent the previous month, analysts said the level still indicated that consumers remained wary of spending.

"The saving rate remains high by the standards of the last 20 years, suggesting that households are intent on paying down debt and putting their finances on a firmer footing," said Paul Dales, a U.S. economist at Capital Economics in Toronto.

"This is clearly good for the economy in the medium-term, but its bad for near-term growth. Overall, the U.S. economy cannot rely on households to lift it out of its current funk."

The report showed the personal consumption expenditures price index, excluding food and energy, was up 1.4 percent in the 12 months to July, unchanged from June. The index is a key inflation measure monitored by the Federal Reserve.

"The sluggish economy and high unemployment should nudge it modestly lower in coming months," said Sal Guatieri, a senior economist with BMO Capital Markets in Toronto. "We see it moving further below the Feds longer-range forecast of 1.7 percent to 2.0 percent, thus paving the way for renewed quantitative easing by year-end."

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Friday that the U.S. central banks would act to spur the recovery should the outlook deteriorate. He said the Fed could support growth by purchasing more government debt or by promising to keep rates exceptionally low for a longer period than currently priced in by financial markets.

Editing by Andrea Ricci



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

10:13 AM

(0) Comments

July consumer spending gain strongest in 4 months Reuters

Addison Ray

WASHINGTON Reuters Consumer spending rose at the strongest pace in four months in July, supported by a small gain in incomes that offered hope consumers will be able to keep contributing to a modest economic recovery.

Analysts said the 0.4 percent increase in spending reported by the Commerce Department on Monday was a relief after a raft of weak data for July and helped ease fears the economy was sliding back into recession.

"We are still of the opinion that there is a 30 percent chance of a double dip recession, but its definitely not our baseline forecast," said Scott Hoyt, director of consumer economics at Moodys Economy.com in West Chester, Pennsylvania. "When consumer spending is growing its hard to get a double dip."

The increase in spending was a touch above expectations in financial markets for a 0.3 percent rise. Spending, which was flat in June, was supported by a 0.2 percent gain in incomes and households dipping into their savings.

But investors worried that stubbornly high unemployment would continue to dampen spending and sold U.S. stocks. Prices for safe-haven government bonds rose, recouping some of Fridays steep losses.

The U.S. dollar fell against the yen as investors saw as inadequate steps by authorities in Tokyo to curb the Japanese currencys rise.

Data so far have suggested the U.S. economys recovery from the longest and deepest recession since the 1930s probably slowed further in the third quarter.

The government on Friday lowered its estimate of second-quarter economic growth to a 1.6 percent annual rate from 2.4 percent, although the figure on consumer spending was revised higher.

A closely watched employment report for August due on Friday is expected to paint yet another a grim picture of the labor market, the Achilles heel of the recovery. According to a Reuters survey, nonfarm payrolls fell 100,000 this month after shrinking 131,000 in July.

JOBS KEY

"The key is jobs. If we get jobs, we will get consumers spending, that will really get the ball rolling," said Hoyt.

Spending adjusted for inflation increased 0.2 percent last month after edging up 0.1 percent in June, the Commerce Department said. Real spending on goods rebounded 0.4 percent, while expenditure on services increased 0.2 percent.

"Consumers are spending, but slowly, and we expect spending growth below 2 percent in the third quarter as a whole," said Julia Coronado, an economist at BNP Paribas in New York.

Wages and salaries rose at a $22 billion annual rate last month, helping fuel the rise in incomes, after shrinking at an $8 billion rate in June.

But real disposable income fell 0.1 percent, the first decline since January.

Although the saving rate slipped to 5.9 percent from 6.2 percent the previous month, analysts said the level still indicated that consumers remained wary of spending.

"The saving rate remains high by the standards of the last 20 years, suggesting that households are intent on paying down debt and putting their finances on a firmer footing," said Paul Dales, a U.S. economist at Capital Economics in Toronto.

"This is clearly good for the economy in the medium-term, but its bad for near-term growth. Overall, the U.S. economy cannot rely on households to lift it out of its current funk."

The report showed the personal consumption expenditures price index, excluding food and energy, was up 1.4 percent in the 12 months to July, unchanged from June. The index is a key inflation measure monitored by the Federal Reserve.

"The sluggish economy and high unemployment should nudge it modestly lower in coming months," said Sal Guatieri, a senior economist with BMO Capital Markets in Toronto. "We see it moving further below the Feds longer-range forecast of 1.7 percent to 2.0 percent, thus paving the way for renewed quantitative easing by year-end."

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Friday that the U.S. central banks would act to spur the recovery should the outlook deteriorate. He said the Fed could support growth by purchasing more government debt or by promising to keep rates exceptionally low for a longer period than currently priced in by financial markets.

Editing by Andrea Ricci



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

10:04 AM

(0) Comments

Job cuts to hit Wales and North

Addison Ray

At least one in 10 people will be unemployed in half of UK regions by 2015, an economic think tank has forecast.

According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research CEBR, the unemployment rate will exceed 10% in Wales and the North of England.

The CEBR blamed expected huge cuts to public sector jobs.

London and the South of England are expected to escape the worst of the job losses, however.

The report warns unemployment could reach as high as 11% in Wales and the North East of England - both regions where many people are dependent on the public sector for work.

Public spending unsustainable

"Start Quote

In Wales there has been a massive growth in public spending in the last few years, and thats probably unsustainable"

End Quote Douglas McWilliams CEBR chief executive

However the researchers predict south east and south west England will see jobless rates peak at 7% and 8% respectively.

London, the South East and the South West are expected to grow their share of the UKs economic activity, the CEBR says, helping them to avoid the worst of the job losses.

London is expected to account for 20% of the economy by 2015, thanks to the expected continued growth in financial services.

In contrast, the rest of the UK is expected to see its share of economic activity fall, with the North West seeing the biggest fall.

Speaking to the BBC, the CEBRs chief executive Douglas McWilliams said that Wales in particular could suffer because of the number of public sector jobs there.

"Those regions which are currently very dependent on the public sector are likely to suffer a lot more as the public sector gets cut," he said.

"Wales is probably going to be region thats going to be hit most by this, but also regions like the North West and the West Midlands.

"In Wales there has been a massive growth in public spending in the last few years, and thats probably unsustainable."

The goverment is due to detail its planned spending cuts later this year, following a comprehensive spending review.

Earlier this month, figures showed unemployment in the UK fell to 2.49 million, with the rate of unemployment at 7.8%.

"The gloomy figures released in this report may come as a surprise to some given the tentative signs of recovery in the UK labour market over recent months," said Owen James, an economist at CEBR.

"Ignoring the scale of public sector job cuts over the forecast period, however, would be misleading, as would any view that the cuts will not hit some regions harder than others."

He added that private sector jobs would also be hit, where private companies rely on public sector contracts.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator
http://tinyurl.com/36rl2rx

9:54 AM

(0) Comments

BlackBerry offers India solutions, wins reprieve

Addison Ray

NEW DELHI | Mon Aug 30, 2010 12:34pm EDT

NEW DELHI Reuters - BlackBerry maker Research in Motion will give India access to secure data from Sept 1, a government source said on Monday, as the country looked to push RIM, Google and Skype to set up servers in India amid security concerns.

Late on Monday, the interior ministry said RIM had offered India a few proposals to access its secure data and that the feasibility of the solutions would be assessed within 60 days. It did not give details about the solutions.

Echoing similar concerns raised by several other countries, India has said it wants the means to fully track and read BlackBerrys secure email and instant messaging services that officials fear could be misused by militants.

Indian officials have also expressed concerns over security threats emerging from Internet-based messaging and other services from providers like Google and Skype.

The Indian government had given RIM until August 31 to come up with a solution that would allow monitoring of emails and avoid disruption of its services in the worlds fastest-growing mobile phone market.

"They have given some access, which we will operationally from September 1," said the government source, referring to RIM.

"They will have to provide full access to all communications that go through India. They will have to set up a server in India," the source said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

A RIM spokesman based in India said the company had no immediate comment, while a spokeswoman at Google said they were unable to comment as they had no communication from the government.

Skype said it has also not received any directive from the local authorities in India.

BLACKBERRYS REPUTATION

BlackBerrys reputation is built around confidentiality and any move under pressure from governments could hurt the devices popularity with business professionals and politicians.

RIMs rivals Apple Inc and Nokia could be among the biggest gainers if India blocks BlackBerry services. Nokia said on Monday it will host an email server in India from November 5.

India is keen to retain its position as one of the worlds fastest growing information-technology nations, and a BlackBerry ban would jeopardize this, besides being counter-productive by limiting the efficiency and productivity of local firms.

RIM uses powerful codes to scramble, or encrypt, email messages as they travel between a BlackBerry device and a computer known as a BlackBerry Enterprise Server BES that is designed to secure those emails.

RIM has said BlackBerry security is based on a system where the customers create their own key and the company neither has a master key nor any "back door" to allow RIM or any third party to gain access to crucial corporate data.

Besides India, several other countries have raised concerns about the popular device over activities from terrorism to peddling pornography.

Saudi Arabia, fretful over services such as online pornography, has reached a deal with RIM on the messenger service, a consumer product outside of the secure corporate domain. India too has reached a deal until November on the messenger service, according to government sources.

Such concerns also have been raised by Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, with the latter giving RIM an October 11 deadline.

Analysts see no easy fix to the standoff as RIM says it has no way of intercepting the data that countries want to access. RIM has denied media reports that say it provided unique wireless services or access to any one country.

A shutdown would affect about 1 million users in India out of a total 41 million BlackBerry users worldwide, allowing them to use the devices only for calls and Internet browsing.

Writing by Krittivas Mukherjee; Editing by Surojit Gupta, Jui Chakravorty and Michael Roddy



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

9:34 AM

(0) Comments

Blackberry in India ban reprieve

Addison Ray

India has said it will delay a ban on Blackberry devices for 60 days while it reviews proposals from the gadgets maker, Research in Motion RIM.

A ban had been threatened from Tuesday, as India said its security services needed greater access to encrypted services.

It wants the ability to monitor secure e-mail and instant messaging services provided by the firm.

RIM has said it will support the countrys need for "lawful access".

But it maintains that it does not do "specific deals" with countries.

The firm said earlier that it had offered to "lead an industry forum focused on supporting the lawful access needs of law enforcement agencies".

It said that the forum - which would include other telecoms firms - would work with the Indian government to develop "policies and processes aimed at preventing the misuse of strong encryption technologies".

Scramble

India, along with many other countries, believes the device and the Blackberry infrastructure used by business customers are a threat to national security.

The country fears the device could be used by militants and insurgents in a repeat of the 2008 attack on Mumbai that left 166 people dead.

Blackberry handsets automatically scramble messages and send them to servers in Canada and other countries.

Authorities have said they want access to these messages and the keys to decrypt them in order to counter terrorism and criminal activity.

But RIM has said that it "does not possess a master key, nor does any back door exist in the system that would allow RIM or any third party, under any circumstances, to gain access to encrypted corporate information".

It said that "singling out and banning" Blackberry would be "ineffective and counter-productive" as many other networks used similar encryption techniques.

The firm said finding a solution to meet the needs of governments and prevent the misuse of encryption was an industry-wide problem.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator
http://tinyurl.com/2aekj2j

9:07 AM

(0) Comments

BlackBerry to offer India access: govt source Reuters

Addison Ray

NEW DELHI Reuters BlackBerry maker Research in Motion will give the Indian government access to encrypted data from September 1, while the Indian home ministry wants BlackBerry, Google and Skype to set up servers in India, a government source familiar with the matter said Monday.

India says it wants to fully track and read BlackBerrys secure email and instant messaging services that officials fear could be misused by militants.

Indian officials have also expressed concerns over security threats emerging from Internet-based messaging services from providers like Google and Skype.

"They have given some access, which we will operationalize from September 1," the person said, referring to RIM.

"They will have to provide full access to all communications that go through India. They will have to set up a server in India," the person said.

Reporting by Bappa Majumdar and Devidutta Tripathy; Editing by Surojit Gupta and Jui Chakravorty



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

9:04 AM

(0) Comments

German banker causes race storm

Addison Ray

The German government has condemned an official with the countrys central bank on the publication of his book on immigration issues.

Bundesbank member Thilo Sarrazins book, Germany Abolishes Itself, states that Muslim immigrants refuse to integrate and are a drain on society.

In a newspaper interview about the book, he said that "all Jews share a particular gene".

The Bundesbank board was to make a decision on his future later on Monday.

Completely unacceptable

"The government views the reputation of the Bundesbank as definitely harmed, domestically and abroad, by Mr Sarrazins comments," said Chancellor Angela Merkels spokesman Steffen Seibert.

"The Bundesbank must be concerned about this."

On Sunday, Mrs Merkel said Mr Sarrazins remarks were "completely unacceptable" and urged the Bundesbank to act.

The Social Democratic Party, of which Mr Sarrazin is a long-standing member, said it was taking action to expel Mr Sarrazin.

Mr Sarrazin has defended his comments and his writing, saying: "I cant imagine the chancellor has had the time to read my book."

"Its very balanced," he said.

In the book he writes: "I dont want us to end up as strangers in our own land, not even on a regional basis."

He also writes that "most of the cultural and economic problems are concentrated in a group of the five to six million immigrants from Muslim countries".

Germany has more than four million Muslims, most of them of Turkish origin.

Members of Germanys Jewish and Turkish communities have condemned the book as racist.

Based on advance orders, it has shot to the top of Germanys sales chart.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator
http://tinyurl.com/375zxrq

7:54 AM

(0) Comments

US consumers spend more in July

Addison Ray

US consumer spending rose by a faster-than-expected 0.4% in July, as shoppers saved less of what they earned.

It was the fastest growth rate since March, though total spending remains well below its pre-recession highs.

Personal income however grew only 0.2%. Economists had expected both numbers to rise by 0.3%.

The data means that the savings rate in the US - the percentage of income that households choose not to spend - fell to 5.9% from 6.2% in June.

The savings rate has remained close to 6% for the last 18 months.

But prior to the recession, it had fallen almost to zero - meaning households spent all they earned, or in many cases borrowed to spend more.

Historically, the savings rate has been as high as 8%-12%.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator
http://tinyurl.com/37jbwnn

7:19 AM

(0) Comments

HP approves $10 billion stock buyback addition Reuters

Addison Ray

NEW YORK Reuters Hewlett-Packard Cos HPQ.N said on Monday its board approved to buy back an additional $10 billion in shares to manage dilution created by shares issued under other plans.

HP interim CEO Cathie Lesjak said in a statement HP plans to repurchase at least $3 billion worth of shares in the fiscal fourth quarter.

As of the end of July, HP had repurchased about $2.6 billion of its shares in its fiscal third quarter as part of an $8 billion repurchase plan approved in November 2009. Under that authorization, HP has approximately $4.9 billion remaining to buy back its stock.

Shares of HP rose 2.7 percent to $39.01 in premarket trade after the announcement.

Reporting by Jennifer Saba, editing by Gerald E. McCormick



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

6:49 AM

(0) Comments

Consumer spending posts gain in July Reuters

Addison Ray

WASHINGTON Reuters Consumer spending rose at the strongest pace in four months in July, supported by a small gain in incomes that offered hope consumers will be able to keep contributing to a modest recovery.

The Commerce Department said on Monday spending increased 0.4 percent, the largest gain since March, after being unchanged in June. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected consumer spending to rise 0.3 percent.

"On the real wage side, you had a good bump thats a sign that income is recovering from the recession. On the spending side, the quarter is off to a solid start," said John Canally, an economist at LPL Financial in Boston.

U.S. stock index futures edged up after the data and Treasury debt prices were steady at higher levels. The U.S. dollar showed losses against the yen but rose against the euro.

The income and spending report was a relief after a raft of weak data for July that had fueled fears economic growth might continue to slow during in the third quarter.

The government on Friday lowered second-quarter gross domestic product growth estimates to a 1.6 percent annual rate from 2.4 percent.

Consumer spending, which normally accounts for 70 percent of U.S. economic activity, is being dampened by stubbornly high unemployment. Fridays GDP report showed spending increased at a 2.0 percent rate in the second quarter, up from an earlier estimate of 1.6 percent.

The Commerce Department said spending adjusted for inflation increased 0.2 percent last month after edging up 0.1 percent in June. Real spending on goods rebounded 0.4 percent, while expenditure on services increased 0.2 percent.

Personal income increased 0.2 percent last month after being unchanged in June. Markets had expected income to rise 0.3 percent in July.

Wages and salaries rose at a $22 billion annual rate during July after shrinking at an $8 billion rate in June.

But real disposable income fell 0.1 percent, the first decline since January, following Junes 0.1 percent gain.

The savings rate slipped to 5.9 percent from 6.2 percent the previous month. Savings fell to an annual rate of $673.4 billion.

Inflation did not appear to be a problem.

The report showed the personal consumption expenditures price index, excluding food and energy, was up 1.4 percent in the 12 months to July, unchanged from June. The index is a key inflation measure monitored by the Federal Reserve.

Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Additional reporting by Richard Leong in New York; Editing by Andrea Ricci



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

6:41 AM

(0) Comments

HP approves $10 billion stock buyback addition

Addison Ray

Thomson Reuters is the worlds largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.

NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

6:06 AM

(0) Comments

Consumer spending, incomes rise in July

Addison Ray

Thomson Reuters is the worlds largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.

NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

3:33 AM

(0) Comments

Sanofi proposal heaps pressure on Genzyme Reuters

Addison Ray

PARIS Reuters Pressure mounted on Genzyme as its shares rose 6 percent in Frankfurt a day after French drugmaker Sanofi made public its month-old proposal to buy the U.S. biotech group for $18.5 billion.

Sanofi Chief Executive Chris Viehbacher confirmed his proposal to pay $69 per share in cash for Genzyme on Sunday, hinting he could make a hostile takeover bid following several unsuccessful attempts to hold talks with Genzyme management.

The French group stopped short of making a direct approach to Genzyme shareholders, however, and Viehbacher sounded a conciliatory tone in an interview with Les Echos newspaper that nonetheless suggested there was a limit to his patience.

"We want to show that we are determined and serious, without being threatening straightaway. Quite some time can go by yet," Viehbacher -- dubbed the "Smiling Killer" by some staff for his cost-cutting zeal -- he said in the interview.

Genzyme shares were up 4.3 percent at 54.71 euros $69.60 in Frankfurt trading by 0925 GMT as investors waited for Genzyme to respond to Sanofis proposal.

Sanofi Aventis shares were up 1.2 percent at 45.81 euros. Sanofi is due to hold a call with analysts at 1230 GMT.

Viehbacher said on Sunday that disclosing Sanofis non-binding offer would give Genzyme shareholders a chance to see the "significant shareholder value and compelling strategic fit inherent in a combination of the two companies."

Some analysts suggested Genzyme, which is trying to fix manufacturing problems that led to shortages of two of its top drugs and hit its stock price over the past year, may not get a better offer.

"Sanofi realizes these guys are in a corner and are thinking why should they pay over the odds?," said Navid Malik, an analyst at Matrix Corporate Capital in London.

"Weve not seen any white knights and if this offer doesnt go through well see the shares back well below $60. I dont think there is a white knight out there. I think this is the only offer Genzyme shareholders will see."

Sources previously told Reuters that Genzyme wants an offer of at least $75 per share before Sanofi could review its private financial records. Some shareholders want as much as $80 a share to clinch a deal.

However, Sanofis top two shareholders -- cosmetics group LOreal and oil company Total SA -- worry that the company might pay too much for Genzyme and are not convinced it is the best fit, bankers said last week.

Genzyme stock closed on Friday at $67.62, having jumped from around $54 before news of Sanofis interest surfaced.

Analysts have said they expect a deal to be finalized in the range of $74 to $77 a share. If Sanofi walks away, analysts see shares of Genzyme falling to the low $50-range. Some say it could take at least a year for them to rebuild the lost value.

Genzyme is the worlds dominant supplier of drugs to treat Gaucher and Fabry disease -- rare, inherited disorders in which patients lack key enzymes for breaking down fats.

News of Sanofis initial approach emerged late in July and the drugmaker sent a written expression of interest on July 29.

Sanofi said Genzyme rebuffed the offer on August 11, but after some persuasion agreed to a meeting of financial advisers on August 24.

$1=.7861 Euro

Additional reporting by Ben Hirschler in Stockholm

Reporting by Nina Sovich; Editing by James Regan and Michael Shields



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

3:11 AM

(0) Comments

Sanofi proposal heaps pressure on Genzyme

Addison Ray

PARIS | Mon Aug 30, 2010 5:43am EDT

PARIS Reuters - Pressure mounted on Genzyme as its shares rose 6 percent in Frankfurt a day after French drugmaker Sanofi made public its month-old proposal to buy the U.S. biotech group for $18.5 billion.

Sanofi Chief Executive Chris Viehbacher confirmed his proposal to pay $69 per share in cash for Genzyme on Sunday, hinting he could make a hostile takeover bid following several unsuccessful attempts to hold talks with Genzyme management.

The French group stopped short of making a direct approach to Genzyme shareholders, however, and Viehbacher sounded a conciliatory tone in an interview with Les Echos newspaper that nonetheless suggested there was a limit to his patience.

"We want to show that we are determined and serious, without being threatening straightaway. Quite some time can go by yet," Viehbacher -- dubbed the "Smiling Killer" by some staff for his cost-cutting zeal -- he said in the interview.

Genzyme shares were up 4.3 percent at 54.71 euros $69.60 in Frankfurt trading by 0925 GMT as investors waited for Genzyme to respond to Sanofis proposal.

Sanofi Aventis shares were up 1.2 percent at 45.81 euros. Sanofi is due to hold a call with analysts at 1230 GMT.

Viehbacher said on Sunday that disclosing Sanofis non-binding offer would give Genzyme shareholders a chance to see the "significant shareholder value and compelling strategic fit inherent in a combination of the two companies."

Some analysts suggested Genzyme, which is trying to fix manufacturing problems that led to shortages of two of its top drugs and hit its stock price over the past year, may not get a better offer.

"Sanofi realizes these guys are in a corner and are thinking why should they pay over the odds?," said Navid Malik, an analyst at Matrix Corporate Capital in London.

"Weve not seen any white knights and if this offer doesnt go through well see the shares back well below $60. I dont think there is a white knight out there. I think this is the only offer Genzyme shareholders will see."

Sources previously told Reuters that Genzyme wants an offer of at least $75 per share before Sanofi could review its private financial records. Some shareholders want as much as $80 a share to clinch a deal.

However, Sanofis top two shareholders -- cosmetics group LOreal and oil company Total SA -- worry that the company might pay too much for Genzyme and are not convinced it is the best fit, bankers said last week.

Genzyme stock closed on Friday at $67.62, having jumped from around $54 before news of Sanofis interest surfaced.

Analysts have said they expect a deal to be finalized in the range of $74 to $77 a share. If Sanofi walks away, analysts see shares of Genzyme falling to the low $50-range. Some say it could take at least a year for them to rebuild the lost value.

Genzyme is the worlds dominant supplier of drugs to treat Gaucher and Fabry disease -- rare, inherited disorders in which patients lack key enzymes for breaking down fats.

News of Sanofis initial approach emerged late in July and the drugmaker sent a written expression of interest on July 29.

Sanofi said Genzyme rebuffed the offer on August 11, but after some persuasion agreed to a meeting of financial advisers on August 24.

$1=.7861 Euro

Additional reporting by Ben Hirschler in Stockholm

Reporting by Nina Sovich; Editing by James Regan and Michael Shields



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

1:58 AM

(0) Comments

Stock futures point to higher open on Wall Street

Addison Ray

PARIS | Mon Aug 30, 2010 4:10am EDT

PARIS Reuters - Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.17 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.09 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.27 percent.

M&A activity will be in focus on Monday, after Frances Sanofi-Aventis SASY.PA publicly disclosed its proposed $18.5 billion, $69 per share cash indicated offer for Genzyme Corp GENZ.O in a bid to rouse shareholders after failing to engage the U.S. biotechnology company in merger talks. Sanofi said it is considering all options to complete the transaction, hinting it would consider a hostile takeover bid.

Shares of Genzyme traded in Frankfurt GENZ.F were up 5.9 percent.

German chipmaker Infineon IFXGn.DE has agreed to sell its wireless unit to Intel INTC.O for $1.4 billion, enabling the U.S. chipmaker to boost its presence in the smartphone market.

Dell Inc DELL.O said on Sunday it was assessing its bid for 3PAR Inc PAR.N after the data storage companys board of directors late on Friday said Hewlett-Packard Cos HPQ.N $2 billion offer was a "superior proposal."

Oil stayed near an eight-day high above $75 on Monday as sustained momentum from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernankes speech last week boosted Asian stock markets.

Japans Nikkei average pared gains to close near its days lows on Monday after rising more than 3 percent at one point, with investors disappointed by a Bank of Japan decision that contained no surprises and was seen as lackluster at best.

European stocks were up 0.3 percent in morning trade, gaining ground for the third consecutive session and tracking gains in Asian stocks and commodity prices on recovering risk appetite in the wake of Bernankes comments.

On the macro front, investors awaited July personal income and consumption data as well as the core PCE data, all due at 1230 GMT 8:30 a.m. EDT.

Stocks rebounded to post their best gains in nearly four weeks on Friday, overcoming initial skittishness brought on by a revenue warning from Intel and dour comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI gained 164.84 points, or 1.65 percent, to 10,150.65. The Standard & Poors 500 Index .SPX jumped 17.37 points, or 1.66 percent, to 1,064.59. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC climbed 34.94 points, or 1.65 percent, to 2,153.63.

Reporting by Blaise Robinson; Editing by Mike Nesbit



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

1:52 AM

(0) Comments

Stock futures point to higher open on Wall Street Reuters

Addison Ray

PARIS Reuters Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.17 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.09 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.27 percent.

M&A activity will be in focus on Monday, after Frances Sanofi-Aventis SASY.PA publicly disclosed its proposed $18.5 billion, $69 per share cash indicated offer for Genzyme Corp GENZ.O in a bid to rouse shareholders after failing to engage the U.S. biotechnology company in merger talks. Sanofi said it is considering all options to complete the transaction, hinting it would consider a hostile takeover bid.

Shares of Genzyme traded in Frankfurt GENZ.F were up 5.9 percent.

German chipmaker Infineon IFXGn.DE has agreed to sell its wireless unit to Intel INTC.O for $1.4 billion, enabling the U.S. chipmaker to boost its presence in the smartphone market.

Dell Inc DELL.O said on Sunday it was assessing its bid for 3PAR Inc PAR.N after the data storage companys board of directors late on Friday said Hewlett-Packard Cos HPQ.N $2 billion offer was a "superior proposal."

Oil stayed near an eight-day high above $75 on Monday as sustained momentum from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernankes speech last week boosted Asian stock markets.

Japans Nikkei average pared gains to close near its days lows on Monday after rising more than 3 percent at one point, with investors disappointed by a Bank of Japan decision that contained no surprises and was seen as lackluster at best.

European stocks were up 0.3 percent in morning trade, gaining ground for the third consecutive session and tracking gains in Asian stocks and commodity prices on recovering risk appetite in the wake of Bernankes comments.

On the macro front, investors awaited July personal income and consumption data as well as the core PCE data, all due at 1230 GMT 8:30 a.m. EDT.

Stocks rebounded to post their best gains in nearly four weeks on Friday, overcoming initial skittishness brought on by a revenue warning from Intel and dour comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI gained 164.84 points, or 1.65 percent, to 10,150.65. The Standard & Poors 500 Index .SPX jumped 17.37 points, or 1.66 percent, to 1,064.59. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC climbed 34.94 points, or 1.65 percent, to 2,153.63.

Reporting by Blaise Robinson; Editing by Mike Nesbit



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

1:23 AM

(0) Comments

Agrium says keen on Potash assets if BHP sells Reuters

Addison Ray

SYDNEY Reuters Canadas Agrium Inc said it would be interested in Potash Corps nitrogen and phosphates business, worth an estimated $12 billion, if miner BHP Billiton secures its $39 billion Potash takeover and decides to sell the assets.

Agrium Chief Executive Mike Wilson said on Monday his fertilizer and agricultural company was strong financially and would look at any assets up for grabs. His comments came after BHP told analysts it could look to divest Potashs nitrogen and phosphates operations.

"We are a global company that produce 8 million metric tonnes of nitrogen, phosphate and potash and markets 16 million so any assets that came on the market that fits with us we would certainly look at," Wilson told Reuters in an interview.

Wilson was in Australia to finalize his companys $1 billion takeover of local wheat exporter AWB Ltd.

BHP Billiton is chasing Potash Corp to become the worlds largest potash supplier, with nearly a quarter of the global market. Potash Corp formally rejected the offer last week and BHP now has to woo the Canadian companys shareholders.

With its takeover offer -- the largest in any industry this year -- BHP aims to vault to the top of a rebounding fertilizer industry, as the economies and populations of Asian powerhouses like China and India rapidly expand, lifting demand for crop nutrients.

BHP has lined up $45 billion in debt for the bid, and Chief Executive Marius Kloppers has said it does not need to sell any assets to help fund the deal.

But the prospect of recouping some of the outlay through divestments could be appealing for investors worried about BHP moving into a new and untested sector for the company.

"BHP said that 70 percent of the value is in the potash assets and that over time it would probably look to possibly divest the nitrogen and perhaps the phosphates business," Soleil Securities analyst Mark Gulley said in a note to clients after a conference call last week.

Analysts estimate Potash Corps phosphates business is worth around $7 billion and its nitrogen business is worth abut $5 billion, each ranked third or fourth in their industries.

The conference call was led by BHPs chief commercial officer, Alberto Calderon, who is also head of mergers and acquisitions.

FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY

Agriums Wilson said his company had plenty of financial flexibility for future growth.

He added it was logical for BHP to stay in Canpotex, the North American potash marketing consortium that also includes Mosaic Co and Potash Corp, if its bid was successful. Agrium is a one-third partner in Canpotex.

"Canpotex is a very, very strong joint venture when it comes to global marketing and distribution and I can see huge value for BHP," said Wilson.

"Whether it is logical for them to stay in it will be their decision obviously, but it is one of the strongest marketing organizations I have ever worked with."

Kloppers has said that in the long run BHP would like to market Potash Corps production independently, but last week sought to ease concerns BHP would pull out of Canpotex, saying it would only change Canpotex if other stakeholders wanted to.

Kloppers and Calderon are in North America this week to brief BHP shareholders, many of whom are also Potash Corp stakeholders, on the bid and the groups half-year results, its richest in two years.

BHP has played down the chances of raising its offer, saying it timed its bid to ensure that potential rivals, like Rio Tinto and Brazils Vale, were not in a position to raise the stakes.

"There is only one offer on the table, so why would we compete against ourselves?" Chief Financial Officer Alex Vanselow said in an interview on Australian television on Sunday. Potash Corp shares closed on Friday at $147.73, 14 percent above BHPs offer, indicating investors expect BHP to raise its offer or another bidder to enter the fray.

BHP shares closed 1.5 percent firmer at A$37.87 in Sydney on Monday. The broader market was up 1.9 percent.

The current bid is not subject to a vote of BHPs shareholders. But under UK listing rules, if it sweetens the offer to be worth at least 25 percent of BHPs market value at the time, then it would need its own shareholders approval.

Additional reporting by Ed Davies and Sonali Paul; Writing by Michael Smith; Editing by Lincoln Feast



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

1:23 AM

(0) Comments

Agrium says keen on Potash assets if BHP sells

Addison Ray

SYDNEY | Mon Aug 30, 2010 3:39am EDT

SYDNEY Reuters - Canadas Agrium Inc said it would be interested in Potash Corps nitrogen and phosphates business, worth an estimated $12 billion, if miner BHP Billiton secures its $39 billion Potash takeover and decides to sell the assets.

Agrium Chief Executive Mike Wilson said on Monday his fertilizer and agricultural company was strong financially and would look at any assets up for grabs. His comments came after BHP told analysts it could look to divest Potashs nitrogen and phosphates operations.

"We are a global company that produce 8 million metric tonnes of nitrogen, phosphate and potash and markets 16 million so any assets that came on the market that fits with us we would certainly look at," Wilson told Reuters in an interview.

Wilson was in Australia to finalize his companys $1 billion takeover of local wheat exporter AWB Ltd.

BHP Billiton is chasing Potash Corp to become the worlds largest potash supplier, with nearly a quarter of the global market. Potash Corp formally rejected the offer last week and BHP now has to woo the Canadian companys shareholders.

With its takeover offer -- the largest in any industry this year -- BHP aims to vault to the top of a rebounding fertilizer industry, as the economies and populations of Asian powerhouses like China and India rapidly expand, lifting demand for crop nutrients.

BHP has lined up $45 billion in debt for the bid, and Chief Executive Marius Kloppers has said it does not need to sell any assets to help fund the deal.

But the prospect of recouping some of the outlay through divestments could be appealing for investors worried about BHP moving into a new and untested sector for the company.

"BHP said that 70 percent of the value is in the potash assets and that over time it would probably look to possibly divest the nitrogen and perhaps the phosphates business," Soleil Securities analyst Mark Gulley said in a note to clients after a conference call last week.

Analysts estimate Potash Corps phosphates business is worth around $7 billion and its nitrogen business is worth abut $5 billion, each ranked third or fourth in their industries.

The conference call was led by BHPs chief commercial officer, Alberto Calderon, who is also head of mergers and acquisitions.

FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY

Agriums Wilson said his company had plenty of financial flexibility for future growth.

He added it was logical for BHP to stay in Canpotex, the North American potash marketing consortium that also includes Mosaic Co and Potash Corp, if its bid was successful. Agrium is a one-third partner in Canpotex.

"Canpotex is a very, very strong joint venture when it comes to global marketing and distribution and I can see huge value for BHP," said Wilson.

"Whether it is logical for them to stay in it will be their decision obviously, but it is one of the strongest marketing organizations I have ever worked with."

Kloppers has said that in the long run BHP would like to market Potash Corps production independently, but last week sought to ease concerns BHP would pull out of Canpotex, saying it would only change Canpotex if other stakeholders wanted to.

Kloppers and Calderon are in North America this week to brief BHP shareholders, many of whom are also Potash Corp stakeholders, on the bid and the groups half-year results, its richest in two years.

BHP has played down the chances of raising its offer, saying it timed its bid to ensure that potential rivals, like Rio Tinto and Brazils Vale, were not in a position to raise the stakes.

"There is only one offer on the table, so why would we compete against ourselves?" Chief Financial Officer Alex Vanselow said in an interview on Australian television on Sunday. Potash Corp shares closed on Friday at $147.73, 14 percent above BHPs offer, indicating investors expect BHP to raise its offer or another bidder to enter the fray.

BHP shares closed 1.5 percent firmer at A$37.87 in Sydney on Monday. The broader market was up 1.9 percent.

The current bid is not subject to a vote of BHPs shareholders. But under UK listing rules, if it sweetens the offer to be worth at least 25 percent of BHPs market value at the time, then it would need its own shareholders approval.

Additional reporting by Ed Davies and Sonali Paul; Writing by Michael Smith; Editing by Lincoln Feast



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

12:45 AM

(0) Comments

Disappointed over BOJ move, Nikkei pares gains Reuters

Addison Ray

TOKYO Reuters Japans Nikkei average pared gains to close near its days lows on Monday after rising more than 3 percent at one point, with investors disappointed by a Bank of Japan decision that contained no surprises and was seen as lackluster at best.

At an emergency meeting, the BOJ expanded its fund supply tool, saving more aggressive steps for when there is clearer evidence of a slowdown in a fragile economy hit by a strong yen.

But analysts questioned whether the central banks action would do much to help to stem a rise in the Japanese currency that hurts exports and may delay Japans exit from deflation, noting that most of the steps it took had already been widely expected.

"This is better than nothing, but still disappointing. Theres little content in this message," said Nagayuki Yamagishi, a strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities.

"Certainly theres some thinking that the BOJ wants to save its stronger measures for later, but if you look at what the yen and stock market have been doing lately I wonder if this is really such a good decision. Things are already tough."

In thin trade, the Nikkei ended up 1.8 percent or 158.20 points to 9,149.26. It rose more than 3 percent or as far as 9,280.70, roughly 300 points, on short-covering before the results of the BOJ meeting came out during the midday recess.

The broader Topix rose 1.2 percent to 829.21, also off earlier highs.

Despite the Nikkeis rise over the past two trading days, which has taken it up 2.7 percent, market players said sentiment remained fragile in the absence of bolder BOJ moves and that levels around 8,800 could be tested soon.

"Theres a lot of economic data coming out this week and next, particularly the U.S. non-farm payrolls figures on Friday, and I think the Nikkei might test lows again late this week or early next week," Yamagishi added.

Below 8,800, the next target is 8,697, a 61.8 percent retracement of the rally between the Nikkeis March 2009 low and April 2010 high.

The dollar hit a 15-year low of 83.58 yen last week, when the Nikkei fell to a 16-month low of 8,807.41. The greenback was trading at 85.15 yen by the afternoon, down 0.1 percent.

Tokyo shares got their initial upward impetus from gains made by U.S. stocks on Friday on strong buying interest at a key technical level and short-covering.

Also helping was a less gloomy revision for U.S. GDP than expected. Second-quarter gross domestic product growth was revised down to 1.6 percent, from 2.4 percent. Many economists had forecast an even bigger downward revision to 1.4 percent growth.

EXPORTERS, TRADERS

Exporters held onto gains, although they were off earlier highs.

Canon Inc rose 2.4 percent to 3,585 yen and Kyocera Corp climbed 2.6 percent to 7,440 yen. Honda Motor Co advanced 1.6 percent to 2,855 yen.

Amid broad-based buying, trading houses rose, with one analyst saying foreign investors were buying commodities-related shares during the morning session.

"Foreign investors seem to be buying commodity-related stocks such as trading houses because some have already started to expect to see more liquidity in markets due to speculation for monetary easing both in Japan and the United States," said Hiroaki Kuramochi, chief equity marketing officer at Tokai Tokyo Securities.

Mitsubishi Corp rose 1.6 percent to 1,859 yen and Mitsui Co added 1.1 percent to 1,139 yen.

Kyowa Hakko Kirin rose 2.6 percent to 878 yen, continuing to extend gains after Mizuho Securities lifted its rating on the stock to "outperform" from "neutral" on August 26, saying the stock had fallen excessively despite a solid earnings outlook.

Some 1.55 billion shares changed hands on the Tokyo exchanges first section. Advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones by more than 9 to 1.

Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Edwina Gibbs



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

12:45 AM

(0) Comments

Yen firms as BOJ disappoints, global stocks rise

Addison Ray

HONG KONG | Mon Aug 30, 2010 3:15am EDT

HONG KONG Reuters - The yen rose and Japanese shares gave up some of their strong early gains on Monday after the Bank of Japan made only minor tweaks in policy, disappointing markets looking for more aggressive action against deflation.

In an emergency meeting, Japans central bank voted to expand its cheap fixed-rate loan programme for banks, but stopped short of bolder steps to stem a rise in the yen that has threatened the countrys already fragile economic recovery.

Leading European shares .FTEU3 rose for a third straight session, mirroring gains in Asia and on Wall Street on Friday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke downplayed concerns that the slowing U.S. economy might slip back into recession. .N

S&P 500 futures rose 0.4 percent, pointing to a stronger opening for U.S. markets later in the day.

Tokyos Nikkei .N225 ended up 1.8 percent after rising more than 3 percent before the BOJ announcement, while Japanese government bonds pulled back sharply from their intraday lows. .T

Asian stocks outside Japan .MIAPJ0000US rose 1.3 percent.

Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa said the central bank needs to carefully examine the drawbacks when considering already low interest rate but did not rule out any specific policy option in case the economy worsens.

The strengthening Japanese currency, which hit a 15-year high of 83.58 yen against the dollar last week, has taken its toll on the countrys exporters, pushing the Nikkei .N225 down nearly 20 percent since its peak in early April.

The yen firmed against the dollar after the BOJs move, which was seen by investors as a symbolic gesture that would do little to halt the currencys climb and may prolong deflation.

At 0700 GMT 3 a.m. EDT, the dollar was hovering around 85 yen from around 85.88 yen just before the BOJ announcement. The euro slid to 108.23 yen from around 109.49 yen beforehand.

"If the BOJ really wanted to do something about the strength of the yen, they should have done something about deflationary pressures. The current policy of doing nothing simply isnt working," said Robert Rennie, currency strategist at Westpac in Sydney.

Global investors will continue to focus this week on the U.S. economys flagging momentum, with a slew of economic data from Washington including August payroll figures expected to add to the gloomy outlook.

Even if the U.S. economy does avoid a "double-dip" recession, investors fear growth could effectively stall, making companies and consumers even more cautious about fresh spending.

Later on Monday, the U.S. commerce department is scheduled to release July personal income and consumption data which is expected to show a rise of 0.3 percent in both income and spending, according to a Reuters survey.

Oil stayed near an eight-day high above $75 a barrel, while spot gold was slightly lower at $1,235.35 an ounce.

Additional reporting by Aiko Hayashi in TOKYO

Editing by Kim Coghill



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

12:15 AM

(0) Comments

BOJ eases policy to fight yen rise but impact seen slim Reuters

Addison Ray

TOKYO Reuters The Bank of Japan buckled under government pressure and eased monetary policy at an emergency meeting on Monday in an effort to curb a rise in the yen that is threatening a fragile economic recovery.

The yen bounced back to day highs after the central bank expanded a scheme supplying cheap fixed-rate loans to banks, a move seen by investors as a symbolic gesture that will do little to halt a climb in the currency that hurts exports and may prolong deflation.

"Todays move is not a bold move," said Simon Wong, regional economist at Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong. "If the yen continues to appreciate, say it appreciates beyond the 80 level, that could trigger more direct intervention at some point."

The decision follows weeks of efforts by Tokyos policymakers to talk down the yen, signaling the possibility of intervening in the market after the Japanese currency hit a 15-year high of 83.58 yen against the dollar last week.

The government had heightened pressure on the BOJ to do its part, but analysts said the ball would now be back in the governments court. "They dont really have any other policy tools they are prepared to use, so that might make it more necessary to have intervention if the yen goes," said Richard Jerram, chief economist at Macquarie Securities Japan Limited.

The central bank said that by increasing the volume and duration of funds made available to banks it aimed to lower money market interest rates -- something that in the past also helped ease the upward pressure on the yen.

Although Japanese nominal interest rates are at rock bottom, deflation has boosted real rates, deterring investment and driving up the yen as overseas investors seek real yields that are higher than those in other major economies.

PM KAN KEEN TO LOOK ACTIVE

Market players were disappointed that the BOJ had stopped short of more aggressive moves such as increasing Japanese government bond JGB purchases or cutting its overnight rate call target.

BOJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa told a news conference that the current level of JGB buying was appropriate, but that the central bank would not rule out any policy options.

The yens rebound pulled the Nikkei share average off its peaks and helped Japanese government bond futures bounce back from an early plunge.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan, whose Democratic Party swept to power a year ago but was thrashed in a July upper house poll, is keen to show that he is doing something about the economy ahead of a challenge from powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa in a September 14 party leadership vote that could split the party.

Kan was to meet Shirakawa after the policy board meeting, and cabinet ministers were to decide the basic thrust of additional measures to help the slowing economy at a meeting later in the day.

"The governments fiscal policy and the BOJs monetary policy should be in sync to send a strong message," Trade Minister Masayuki Naoshima told reporters.

But Japans huge public debt, now twice the size of the economy, limits Tokyos options, and the government is expected to propose shifting funds around rather than announce new substantial spending.

FLYING SOLO?

Japan will likely need to intervene alone if it were to step in to curb yen gains, as its Group of Seven counterparts, happy with the benefits to exports from their weak currencies, are in no mood for coordinated intervention.

Solo currency intervention, however, will not have much effect in weakening the yen unless joined by aggressive monetary easing by the BOJ, traders say.

In Mondays move, the central bank increased the volume of money available to banks under its fixed-rate fund supply operation to 30 trillion yen $351 billion from 20 trillion yen.

It also put in place a six-month fund operation in addition to the three-month loan programme already in place.

Of the 30 trillion yen, 10 trillion yen will be the six-month fund operation, BOJ said. The decision was by an 8-1 vote, with board member Miyako Suda dissenting.

The central bank, as widely expected, maintained its overnight core rate target at 0.1 percent by a unanimous vote.

The BOJ launched the funding scheme, which offers loans at 0.1 percent, in December. That failed to boost bank lending but helped to push the yen further away from a November high.

The BOJ last eased monetary policy in March, when it doubled the size of the fixed-rate fund supply tool to 20 trillion yen.

$1=85.37 Yen

Writing by Leika Kihara and Linda Sieg; additional reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Edmund Klamann and Tomasz Janowski



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator

12:11 AM

(0) Comments

Intel to buy Infineons wireless ops for $1.4 billion

Addison Ray

Thomson Reuters is the worlds largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.

NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.



Full Text RSS Feeds | WordPress Auto Translator